Two Workers Are Confirmed Dead After a Water Main Break in the South End
photo via Twitter/@mattyzcook
Two workers trapped in a trench when a water main break flooded a section of Boston’s South End have died, police have confirmed.
The unidentified victims were reportedly underground as water spilled into the hole where they were working.
The Boston Fire Department spent the afternoon conducting a “recovery operation” at the scene, according to updates via the BFD’s official Twitter feed. In an effort to retrieve the victims’ bodies, crews were vacuuming water out of the trench while adding supports to reinforce it.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was also being called to the site of the flooding, fire officials said.
Police received a call at 12:56 p.m. about the break, which was at 10 Dartmouth Street, near the Tremont Street intersection, according to department spokeswoman Myeshia Henderson. The rupture was attributed to a collapsed fire hydrant, she says.
Witnesses described quick-moving water that flooded the area in minutes.
A little bit of excess water here at Dartmouth St & Tremont @universalhubpic.twitter.com/9YJE7fiiFf
— Z (@mattyzcook) October 21, 2016
Water gushing fr #Dartmouth onto #Tremont in #SouthEnd#Boston. Witness says 1 worker seen trying to get out or save other worker. @NECNpic.twitter.com/JnPIw0VetI
— susantran (@susantran) October 21, 2016
Boston Police say Dartmouth Street will be closed to traffic this evening.
Traffic Alert: Dartmouth St expected to be closed thru evening commute. Please avoid the area
— Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) October 21, 2016
